Export emails as text
For many years I have been able to export Thunderbird emails as text - the options were to export each email in a folder as a separate text file or to export all emails in the folder as a single text file. Attachments were handled in a similar way. The option to export was under the heading Tools. I have attached an example of the output from a number of years ago - a very important set of archived material that is now stored in the National Archives of Australia. It was very easy to do the export and Thunderbird created all the folders. Now the only option I can see to export anything is under Events and Tasks, and it only exports a calendar as a .ics file. I have discovered that if I highlight all the emails in a folder, I can use File/Print to print each one as a separate pdf. That would be a very time-consuming process for some of my folders that contain hundreds of emails. And some of the pdfs would be extremely short. I have searched Add-Ons and there are a few tools there for exporting emails. Is that my only option?
Solution choisie
Thank you for your replies.
SFHowes, you write that "Tools ... still has the option to export all mail in a folder as a single text file." I don't have that option on my computer. See screenprint image - I have combined three screenprints into one.
However I take Matt's point about how in the past people didn't know addons were being given access and no one cared. And I appreciate your assurance, Matt, about the vetting of addons.
I will go ahead and add ImportExportTools NG to my TB.
Thank you again.
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The function has always been managed by an import export addon. Perhaps yours is not longer enabled for some reason.
https://addons.thunderbird.net/en-US/thunderbird/addon/importexporttools-ng/?src=ss
I don't think this function has always been managed by an addon. Always is forever. Thunderbird hasn't been around for ever.
I have been using Thunderbird for a very long time. I have records of exported emails dating back to 2001 but I think I've been using Thunderbird for much longer than that.
ImportExportTools NG requires users to give the software access to all aspects of their Thunderbird setup. I have never done that and I don't intend to in future.
The export function I used was built into Thunderbird.
You can save individual messages as plain text files without add-ons, simply from File/Save As/File (Ctrl+S), choosing Save as type: Text Files, but there are far more options with the ImportExportTools NG add-on. You must have been using an earlier version of the add-on, as your picture shows a naming option offered by the add-on (it's still under Tools, and still has the option to export all mail in a folder as a single text file).
As for the access disclaimer, this is standard for all add-ons in the current TB:
https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/permission-request-messages-thunderbird-extensions
linum said
I don't think this function has always been managed by an addon. Always is forever. Thunderbird hasn't been around for ever.And before there was a Thunderbird.... You were not doing anything in it. So forever is a reasonable statement.I have been using Thunderbird for a very long time. I have records of exported emails dating back to 2001 but I think I've been using Thunderbird for much longer than that.Interesting, but ultimately not exactly relevant. Just an FYI. Thunderbird was first released in 2004. Prior to that there was a Mozilla suite and before that there was Netscape.
ImportExportTools NG requires users to give the software access to all aspects of their Thunderbird setup. I have never done that and I don't intend to in future.I find it truly interesting that all addons until V78 came out were silently given significantly more access and no one cared. Now there is a banner and they care. Really I have no idea why they care as Thunderbird has far more access to your system than the addon will ever have as Thunderbird limits exactly what can be accessed in it's own way. Officially offered addons are also vetted before they are allowed on the addon web site, it is only if you go somewhere else that the risks ramp up significantly because addons from addon.thunderbird.net are currently the only ones being checked.
The export function I used was built into Thunderbird.Thunderbird will allow drag and drop and file save (ctrl+S) on individual emails. Drag and drop saves them as EML files. These are text file but are not recognised by windows as such and have all of the header information on display in them. It is hardly an export process for more than a couple of emails.
But you do whatever you feel is right. I will use the addon because it is convenient, works for me and I trust the process that got it onto the web site.
Solution choisie
Thank you for your replies.
SFHowes, you write that "Tools ... still has the option to export all mail in a folder as a single text file." I don't have that option on my computer. See screenprint image - I have combined three screenprints into one.
However I take Matt's point about how in the past people didn't know addons were being given access and no one cared. And I appreciate your assurance, Matt, about the vetting of addons.
I will go ahead and add ImportExportTools NG to my TB.
Thank you again.
linum said
Thank you for your replies. SFHowes, you write that "Tools ... still has the option to export all mail in a folder as a single text file." I don't have that option on my computer. See screenprint image - I have combined three screenprints into one.
I meant that ImportExportTools NG is still under Tools (or the context menu for folders or messages) and can export to a single text file.